The Christie, Manchester
The Christie is Europe’s largest single-site cancer centre, serving over 40,000 patients each year across multiple locations in Greater Manchester. With three main entrances, high patient anxiety levels and busy daily footfall, the hospital needed a clearer, more consistent wayfinding strategy. We were commissioned to create a system that reduced stress, improved navigation and strengthened the Christie brand across all sites.
Challenges:
Three main entrances creating different first impressions and competing navigation routes
Visual noise and excessive signage, especially in high-traffic areas
Conflicting departmental communication and outdated messaging
Complex internal circulation across clinics, wards and treatment areas
Need to accommodate future site expansions at Oldham and Salford
Requirement to retain space for artwork, fundraising and charity communications
Our Approach
We carried out a full communication audit across The Christie’s entire estate, analysing movement patterns, points of confusion and the emotional journey of cancer patients and their families. We removed unnecessary signage, introduced a clear and consistent hierarchy, and designed a navigation system that could be understood instantly from any entrance. Our strategy also incorporated space for charity messaging and artwork without disrupting the core communication trail. Following the success of the main site, we extended the system to The Christie at Oldham and The Christie at Salford to ensure a unified experience across all locations.
Results
The new strategy significantly reduced patient stress, improved punctuality, and enhanced staff efficiency by cutting down the number of wayfinding-related interruptions. The consistent, modern signage strengthened The Christie’s brand across the region, and the flexible system supported the Trust’s continuing expansion. Patients and visitors reported a calmer, clearer experience throughout their journey.
More Hospital Wayfinding
Every project we deliver is rooted in how people actually think, move, and make decisions. The results speak for themselves! Clearer journeys, fewer questions, reduced stress, and environments that simply work better.
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Princess Alexandra Hospital
Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow is a busy district general hospital serving more than 258,000 people.
The Christie
The Christie is Europe’s largest single-site cancer centre, serving over 40,000 patients each year across multiple locations in Greater Manchester.
Let’s Talk Wayfinding
If you have questions about wayfinding, navigation or user experience, get in touch. Complete our short form and we’ll follow up with a friendly, no-pressure conversation.